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Via commercial software. I suspect that most of them will have updates coming with a facility for accessing the API to update the tax return.
What I find odd is that HMRC hope to use this information to pre-populate Tax Returns, although it's being developed for MTD.
Now, since the goal of MTD is the end of the Return, why expend energy and resources on self-assessment software with a very limited lifespan? Surely, resources would be better directed at making sure that MTD works.
Do any other software providers (other than Gbooks) offer access to this API? Mine doesn't.
HMRC missed the delivery dates for the API so many times that I suspect many of the software houses have been taken by surprise that it has finally seen the light of day. I am fairly sure that they will all bring out updates shortly. I think some software had it in months ago but have since disabled it because of the delays.
Unlike yourself, I can't claim to have the lowdown on the plans of most software providers. However I rang my own software provider, and they said they're hoping to incorporate this API into their "Spring upgrade".
I pressed them on this, and they admitted that any APIs released early next year would probably be too late to be incorporated in their Spring upgrade.
So, reading between the lines, it could take 12-18 months before they have a decent range of APIs in their software. And presumably they'll then put the price up?
It will be really helpful if Aweb can monitor what the software houses implementation dates are for incorporating the APIs. I appreciate that they are dependent on the timing and quality of HMRC delivery but I hope that positive publicity will spur those to whom we pay a lot of money into speedy updates and expose any laggards.
to help "northernmonkey" and for those non technophobes.
API stands for "application program interface" its for software companies to interact with HMRC systems, allowing us to build richer programs to work seamlessly between each other.
This might help have a look here
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hmrc-launches-ambitious-api-strategy
or here
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/practice/practice-strategy/hmrcs-new-api...